Original Research

Comparative Analysis of Breast Self-Examination among Educated Women in Different Age Groups in Local Population

DOI https://doi.org/10.70302/jpsim.v6i2.2522
Received: 11 Dec 2024 Revised: 07 Jan 2025 Accepted: 25 Apr 2025 Published Online: 05 Jun 2025

Abstract

Objective

The objective aims to assess the level of awareness regarding breast self-examination practices among females with varying educational backgrounds and age demographics.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted by circulating Google forms among female groups of varying ages and educational levels. Females >18 and above with diverse education levels were included while uneducated females were excluded. A population of 390 females was considered for this study.

Results

Among 390 females under study, 65.76% of females who had an awareness of breast self-examination were in the 20-30 age group, 18.38% in the 30-40 age group, 22.87% in the 40-50 age group, 13.07% in 50-60 age group while 6.12% were above 60 years of age. Females with a higher education level were more aware of BSE, 4.07% had done matriculation, 8.98% had done intermediate, 68.21% had done bachelors and 44.93% had done masters.

Conclusion

Data collected showed that younger age groups had more widespread awareness of BSE and a positive relationship was established between education level and awareness of BSE. Greater age groups ranging from middle to old age groups showed having a higher frequency of practising BSE.

Keywords
Breast Self-Examination (BSE) CA Breast Age groups Varying education levels Early Diagnosis

How to Cite This Article

Saqlain F, Sohail M, Aziz A, Kazi A, Riaz M, Khan MA. Comparative Analysis of Breast Self-Examination among Educated Women in Different Age Groups in Local Population. J Pak Soc Intern Med. 2025;6(2):114–118. doi:10.70302/jpsim.v6i2.2522

⭳ Download PDF

Conflict of Interest

All authors declare no competing interests.

Disclosed in accordance with ICMJE and COPE guidelines.

Funding

No specific funding was received for this research.

Funder information follows the Crossref Funder Registry standard.

References

  1. Breast cancer statistics | World Cancer Research Fund International. WCRF International.
  2. Tufail M, Wu C: Exploring the Burden of Cancer in Pakistan: An Analysis of 2019 Data. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2023;13(3):333-43.
  3. WHO: Breast cancer. [Updated 2024; Accessed: July 31, 2024]. Available from; [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer].
  4. Ali A, Manzoor MF, Ahmad N, Aadil RM, Qin H, Siddique R, et al.: The Burden of Cancer, Government Strategic Policies, and Challenges in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Review. Front Nut. 2022;9(7):940514.
  5. Mathur P, Sathishkumar K, Chaturvedi M. Cancer Statistics, 2020: Report From National Cancer Registry Programme, India. JCO Glob Oncol. 2020;6(10):1063-75.
  6. Abo Al-Shiekh SS, Ibrahim MA, Alajerami YS. Breast Cancer Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female University Students, Gaza. Scientific World J. 2021;2021(1):6640324.
  7. Sarker R, Islam MS, Moonajilin MS, Rahman M, Gesesew HA, Ward PR. Effectiveness of educational intervention on breast cancer knowledge and breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh: a pre-post quasi-experimental study. BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1):199.
  8. Tuyen DQ, Dung TV, Dong HV, Kien TT, Huong TT. Breast Self-Examination: Knowledge and Practice Among Female Textile Workers in Vietnam. Cancer Control. 2019;26(1):1073274819862788.
  9. Jabeen Z, Shah N, Ahmer Z, Khan S, Khan AH, Khan M. Effect of health education on awareness and practices of breast self-examination among females attending a charitable hospital at North Karachi. J Pak Med Assoc. 2021;71(9):2156-62.
  10. Rahman SA, Al–Marzouki A, Otim M, Khayat NE, Yousef R, Rahman P. Awareness about breast cancer and breast self-examination among female students at the University of Sharjah: a cross-sectional study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2019;20(6):1901.
  11. Albeshan S, Shubayr N, Alashban Y. Assessment of knowledge and awareness about breast self-examination among university female students in Saudi Arabia. Breast Cancer: Targ Therap. 2023;15(2):91-9.
  12. Koirala D, Silwal M, Pokhrel S, Adhikari R. Awareness of Breast Self-Examination among Female Community Health Volunteers of Pokhara. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2023;20(4):952-7.
  13. Rehman MA, Tahir E, Hussain HG, Khalid A, Taqi SM, Meenai EA. Awareness regarding breast cancer amongst women in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS One. 2024;19(3):e0298275.
  14. Paul S, Solanki PP, Shahi UP, Srikrishna S. Epidemiological Study on Breast Cancer Associated Risk Factors and Screening Practices among Women in the Holy City of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;16(18):8163-71.
  15. Bekele B, Yunkura E, Bogale N, Gemechu L, Gebretsadik A, Geleta D. Predictors of Breast Self-Examination Practice Among Women Aged 20 and Above In Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. Health Belief Model Approach. medRxiv. 2023 Dec 29:2023-12.
  16. Hamid HI, Mohamed FA, Dailah HG, Alnassry SM, Abdelgader AA, Taha AA, et al. Breast self-examination knowledge, attitude, and practice among Jazan women, Kingdom od Saudi Arabia. Afr J Reprod Health. 2024;28(7):83-90.
  17. Casmir EC, Anyalewechi NE, Onyeka IS, Agwu AC, Regina NC. Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduates in south-eastern Nigeria. Health. 2015;7(9):1134-41.
  18. Hajian S, Vakilian K, Najabadi KM, Hosseini J, Mirzaei HR. Effects of education based on the health belief model on screening behavior in high risk women for breast cancer, Tehran, Iran. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2011;12(1):49-54.
  19. Taneepanichskul S, Chuemchit M, Wongsasuluk P, Sirichokchatchawan W, Hounnaklang N, Zongram O, et al. Practice, confidence and continuity of breast self-examination among women in Thailand during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2023 Aug 1;13(8):e071306.
  20. Dinegde NG, Xuying L. Awareness of Breast Cancer among Female Care Givers in Tertiary Cancer Hospital, China. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2017;18(7):1977.

Reference list indexed for Google Scholar and ResearchGate. DOI links resolve via doi.org.

CC BY CC BY 4.0 This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. May be shared and adapted with attribution. © 2025 Journal of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine.